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Staff Recommends for Kids

Recommendation for the Week of November 16, 2009

Gossamer
by: Lois Lowry
jFIC

This is the story of an angry young boy and a lonely old woman. They are visited by two imaginary characters called Bestowers, who change their lives by giving them dreams made from the small but beautiful fragments of their lives.There are others; a horde of Sinisteeds. Dreams come from the Bestowers; nightmares come from the Sinisteeds. Both gather fragments from our lives, but one grants dreams, while the other inflicts nightmares. The difference is in the gathering. The Sinisteeds delve into our fears, guilts and failings, while the Bestowers touch and gather moments of love and beauty.  he gossamer touch of the Bestowers proves strongest and champions light over darkness in the lives of the boy and the old woman. A touching read and a beautiful read aloud.

- recommended by Barbara Obergfell, Outreach

Recommendation for the Week of November 9, 2009

Boy On The Lion Throne: the childhood of the 14th Dalai Lama
by: Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
jB

Tibet. The Dalai Lama. Do you understand these words? If not, Boy On The Lion Throne: the childhood of the 14th Dalai Lama will explain who the Dalai Lama is and why he is important to the culture and religion of Tibet. Little Llamo Thondup, at age 2 ½, was found to be the chosen one – the next Dalai Lama. Then his life became very different from yours. Do you know that he has visited Indiana to see his older brother Thubten Norbu who taught at Indiana University? It is truly a small, small world after all.

- recommended by Cindy Childers, Shelby Branch Library

Recommendation for the Week of November 2, 2009

Mudshark
by: Gary Paulsen
jFIC PAU

Mudshark was cool. There was no specific reason for it, he just was. Also, he thought all the time, he read all the time, he observed everyone and everything, and he remembered ALL of it. So, he could find your missing stuff, answer all your questions, and solve all your problems! Thus, Mudshark’s LIFE was also cool, until three things happened. The gerbil escaped from room 206, the erasers began disappearing from all the rooms, and a possibly psychic parrot started stealing Mudshark’s thunder by answering questions (correctly!) before he could. And, Mudshark couldn’t solve any of it!

- recommended by Doriene Smither - Pike Library

Recommendation for the Week of October 26, 2009

One Hen: How one small loan made a big difference
by: Katie Smith Milway
j332 MIL

Kojo is a small boy in Africa whose village, tired of hunger and hardship, has decided to come together, pool its resources, and make small loans to families that need them to improve their lives.  When Kojo’s mother gets a loan, there’s enough money leftover for Kojo to buy one hen.  He uses the profits from selling the eggs his hens lays to buy another hen—and then another and another, until he’s grown a successful business that employs many of the villagers!  This brightly illustrated story offers and interesting look at the basics, and the incredible possibilities, of microfinance. 

- recommended by Bethany Flesher, Lawrence

Recommendation for the Week of October 19, 2009

Frankenstein Takes the Cake
by: Adam Rex
j811.6 REX

Frankenstein is the groom? Dracula is his best man? And well, you can’t have a monster wedding without The Bride of Frankenstein! Frankenstein’s ghoulish friends help out with this “happy” celebration, and it is recorded in this scrapbook. The Headless Horseman blogs that everyone is jealous of his pumpkin head. The Raven makes fun of Edgar Allen Poe’s poems. Comic strips, rhyming e-mails from outer space, and more are included for your reading enjoyment. Beware, there is a slight problem when someone eats garlic bread at the wedding reception. This is a hilarious book for anyone who likes creative poetry with a spooky theme.

- recommended by Andrea Glenn, Southport Branch

Recommendation for the Week of October 12, 2009

Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief
by: Wendelin Van Draanen
jMYS VAN

Thirteen year old Sammy Keyes lives with her grandmother in a senior citizens’ building. Across the street is a hotel- a rather seedy and run-down place.  When a series of robberies occur at the hotel, outspoken and unstoppable Sammy becomes involved in solving the crimes her own way with interesting results. There are eleven titles in this series starring this unique girl detective. The author, Wendelin Van Draanen, will be attending Bouchercon, the world mystery conference, being held here in Indianapolis October 15-19.

- recommended by Karen Perry, Franklin Road Library

Recommendation for the Week of October 5, 2009

The White Witch
by: Janet Graber
jFIC GRA

Ever wondered what it would be like to live back in the 1600s? The White Witch will make you think twice about time travel. This book centers around 14 year-old Gwendoline Riston, a girl with a talent for healing. That talent, plus her strange appearance, leads her Puritan neighbors to think she’s a witch. When the Great Plague hits the small town of Letchlade, and people start blaming Gwen’s “witchy ways” for starting it all, her father hides her in a secret room to keep her safe. Gwendoline knows she can’t hide forever. This book is perfect for fans of historical fiction and those who like suspense.

- recommended by Emilie Van Sloun East 38th Street Branch

Recommendation for the Week of September 28, 2009

Stampede! Poems to Celebrate the Wild Side of School
by: Laura Purdie Salas
j811.6 SAL

With a new school year underway, this book of children’s poetry offers a fun and clever perspective on the typical life of a young student. With vivid illustrations by Steven Salerno to guide them along, author Laura Purdie Salas takes the reader on a safari through the untamed halls of academia as she introduces similarities between the classroom and an average episode of Wild Kingdom. With 18 poems to tickle the funny bone, readers will find themselves laughing along with the silliness while nodding in agreement to the playfully apt comparisons. 

- recommended by Jeff Huttinger - Learning Curve @ Central Library

Recommendation for the Week of August 31, 2009

The Devil’s Breath
by: David Gilman
jFIC GIL

He’s escaped from a machine gun toting assassin, clashed with 6 armed men in a wild Land Rover chase, survived marauding lions and stampeding buffalo, eaten lizards to survive, and fallen down a deep crevice into a swirling river that is pulling him along toward the spinning blades of a generator. Helped by a teen-aged female pilot and a young Bushman, fifteen year old Max Gordon is on the adventure of his life as he attempts to rescue his father from certain death in the African desert of Namibia. The action is fast, furious and very exciting.

- recommended by Andrea Clough, Eagle

Recommendation for the Week of August 24, 2009

Where in the Wild?  Camouflaged Creatures Concealed…and Revealed
by:  David M. Schwartz and Yael Schy Photos by Dwight Kuhn
j590 SCH

Play a game of “hide and seek” with camouflaged animals hidden in incredible real-life photographs! Readers use poems and visual clues to find the animals in the picture then lift the page to see if they guessed the animal’s spot correctly! Learn more about coyote, fawns, frogs, weasels, moths, killdeer, crab spiders, flounder, green snakes, and red-spotted newts, as you uncover the animal’s need for camouflage and protection from predators. Would you like to play Hide and Seek?

- recommended by Patty Wallace, College Library

Recommendation for the Week of August 17, 2009

Scat
by: Carl Hiaasen
jFIC HIA

This story begins when Ms. Starch, biology teacher of Nick and Marta disappears on a class field trip to the Black Vine Swamp. The obvious suspect is Smoke, the class delinquent. Nick and Marta decide to investigate and come into contact with this illegal undercover oil drilling expedition and the endangered Black Panther, rumored to live in the swamp. An enjoyable sub-plot to the story is Nick’s father returning from fighting in the Iraq War. This well plotted mystery with memorable characters has enough comedy thrown in to appeal to a variety of readers.

- recommended by Kimberly Andersen, West Indianapolis Branch

Recommendation for the Week of August 3, 2009

Secret Agent Jack Stalwart: The Escape of the Deadly Dinosaur
by: Elizabeth Singer Hunt
jE HUN

Jack Stalwart is a nine-year-old secret agent. He works for the Global Protection Force protecting the world’s people and treasures. Jack has been called to investigate the disappearance of a toe from an allosaurus dinosaur found in The American Museum of Natural History in New York. As Jack races over New York in an attempt to set things right and return the toe to where it belongs, he hopes to also gather clues about his mysteriously missing older brother, Max. Will Jack set things aright? And more importantly, will Jack be able to find information about his missing brother?

- recommended by Sara Wright, Spades Park Library

Recommendation for the Week of July 27, 2009

Keeping Score
by: Park, Linda Sue
jFIC PAR

It is the summer of 1951 in Brooklyn, New York and nine-year-old Maggie is a huge Dodgers baseball fan. She learns how to keep score from her baseball mentor and friend, Jim. When Jim leaves to serve in the Korean War, Maggie keeps the score for every game and mails her sheets to him. Eventually Jim stops replying to her mail and Maggie worries that something terrible must have happened. Maggie suffers yet another disappointment when the Dodgers fail to win yet another World Series! Will Maggie’s support and prayers help her friend Jim and maybe even help the Dodgers win the Series or will anything she tries make a difference?

- recommended by Kimberly Andersen, West Indianapolis Branch

Recommendation for the Week of July 20, 2009

If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period
by: Gennifer Choldenko
jFIC CHO

Just another teen angst melodrama? Yes and no, but with a twist. The award winning author skillfully maneuvers the minefield of middle school with well-defined characters who are trying to navigate the web of relationships among parents, siblings, friends, ex-friends, teachers and fellow students. Seventh grader Kirsten is a rich kid who attends an exclusive private school, but doesn’t fit in. She is 40 pounds overweight, her parents are fighting constantly and her best friend has defected to the dark side – the mean, but popular clique led by the gorgeous, devious and wealthy Brianna. On the first day she meets the new kid, Walk – the only African-American boy in her grade. Walk is poor, a scholarship student who works hard to maintain his 4.0 GPA. Together they forge a friendship, deal with racial and ethnic diversity, survive mean pranks, cope with problems at home, help their friend and uncover a shocking secret. 

- recommended by Linda Tegmeyer, East Washington Branch Library

Recommendation for the Week of July 13, 2009

EcoCrafts Gorgeous Gifts
by: Craig, Rebecca
j745.5 CRA

Do you ever get bored on a rainy Saturday afternoon? This book might be just what you need to add some fun to your day! There are many craft projects to choose from, and the best part is that they use inexpensive materials that you probably have at home. The book has lots of color photographs that show you just how to complete your project. You can make a gift for your mom or dad, your best friend, or just keep your creation for yourself…and an added bonus is that you will be helping the environment by recycling.

- recommended by Brenda Whitmore, Spades Park Library

Recommendation for the Week of July 6, 2009

The Society of Super Secret Heroes:  The Great Cape Rescue
by: Shalant, Phyllis
jE SHA

Have you ever tied a towel around your neck and pretended to be a superhero? What would it be like if the towel really had super powers and it was telling you to form your own secret society? That’s where 4th grader Finch and his three friends find themselves. Formed to use their powers for the greater good, the Society of Super Secret Heroes handles bullies, problem solving using nonviolent methods, sibling issues (older sisters!) and more. This story is a great read for kids, especially boys.

- recommended by Michael Perry, Warren Branch Library

Recommendation for the Week of June 29, 2009

Liberty's Journey
by: DiPucchio, Kelly S.
jP D596L

Over 3.5 million people visit the Statue of Liberty each year, but what if the Statue decided to take her own trip and see the rest of America? Well, that’s exactly where this clever story starts. Sneaking off her pedestal in the early morning fog, Lady Liberty begins walking across America. As she takes in the new sights out west, New Yorkers launch a search to find her.  on’t worry, this cute story will turn out the way it’s supposed to, and along the way, readers will enjoy the rhyming lines.

- recommended by Andrea Glenn, Southport Branch Library

Recommendation for the Week of June 22, 2009

Little Stevie Wonder
by: Quincy Troupe
jB WONDER

Children will love hearing the story of Stevland Judkins Morris Haradaway better known as Stevie Wonder. In this picture book, Quincy Troupe has written a lively poem about Wonder using one of Stevie’s famous songs "Isn’t she Lovely."  This is an excellent book to share with children about someone overcoming obstacles and succeeding to become one of the world’s best singer and songwriter.  Readers will also enjoy listening to two songs by Stevie Wonder that are included in the book.

- recommended by Denyce Malone, Flanner House Library

Recommendation for the Week of June 15, 2009

Confessions from the Principal’s Chair
by: Anna Myers
jFIC MYE

Fourteen year old Robin is part of the “in” group of girls at her middle school in Denver. After taking part in a cruel prank against another student, Robin’s mother moves them to Oklahoma.On her first day at the new school, Robin is mistakenly thought to be the new substitute Principal. During her two days “in charge”, Robin makes some changes at the school. At the same time she learns some valuable lessons and makes sure that the other students, both at her new and old schools, understand how bullying affects everyone involved. 

- recommended by Denise Smith, Brightwood Library

Recommendation for the Week of June 8, 2009

Sensible Hare and the Case of Carrots
by: Daren King
JE King

Although Sensible Hare, Hare Detective, is not very sensible, he and his trusty sidekick Ottoman Otter are hot on the carrot case. They must use their sleuth sense to solve the mystery of the missing carrot filled suitcase for the lovely Mazy Rabbit. Along the way they have to outwit sneaky villains, clean out ghost hats, and even escape from jail. Sensible Hare uses all imaginable tools to solve the Case of Carrots.

- recommended by Cathy Sheib, Wayne Branch Library

Recommendation for the Week of June 4, 2009

Punished!
by: Lubar, David
jE LUB

After being scolded by a strange old man for playing Tag in the library, Logan can’t stop making up puns. It isn’t long before he realizes that he is being PUNished for the library misbehavior, and he goes in search of the old man for help. The old man tells him he must find examples of certain types of puns, so Logan looks for oxymorons (like “pretty ugly”), anagrams (like “rat art”) and palindromes (like “pot top”). Logan’s quest will surely inspire the reader to play with words, too!

- recommended by Doriene Smither, Pike Library

Recommendation for the Week of May 25, 2009

The Donkey of Gallipoli: A True Story of Courage In WWI
by: Mark Greenwood
j940.4  GRE

What do you know about World War One?  Reading this short “picture book style” story will give you a good idea of what the war was like.  Before this war, Jack and Billy grew up in England where they led donkey rides along the beach during summer vacation.  Later Jack settled in Australia, and he joined the British army at the outbreak of WWI.  Jack trained as a stretcher bearer and saved many wounded men during the fierce battle of Gallipoli, Turkey.  When Jack found a donkey, he enlisted its help in carrying the wounded to safety.  With Duffy the donkey, he even rescued his old friend Billy.  The story does not end happily, but the author’s purpose is achieved – “Lest we forget”.

- recommended by Cindy Childers, Shelby Branch Library

Recommendation for the Week of June 19, 2006

The True Story of Stellina
by: Matteo Pericoli
jP PER

An absolutely lovely volume! Written and illustrated by a husband about his wife and the finch she rescues from a busy NYC street corner. This story is all about presence, patience, and kindness both in the story, how it is told, and illustrated. This is the first juvenile work by Matteo Pericoli, and what a beginning. Highly recommended.

- recommended by Barbara Obergfell, Outreach

Recommendation for the Week of June 12, 2006

Dolores and The Big Fire: a True Story
by: Andrew Clements
j636.8

Children love to read about animals. This book is especially good because it is a true story and is written for beginning readers. Kids can independently read about Dolores, the cat, who saved his owner from a house fire and was badly burned during the rescue. If they like this story, they will like the rest of the series called Pets to the Rescue. The other books in the series are Brave Norman, Ringo Saves the Day, Tara and Tiree and Fearless Friends.

- recommended by Mary Sullivan, Decatur Branch Library